Biologist (Omics)

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/ BASIC REQUIREMENTS: This position has a positive Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of Specialized Experience OR substitution of education for experience OR combination (if applicable) in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet the following requirements: To qualify for the 0401 series: EDUCATION: A. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. -AND- SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations e.g., professional; philanthropic, religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies; knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. To qualify at the ZP-3 or GS-11 level: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-2 or GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Participating in laboratory sample processing, field work, data analysis or statistical modeling projects; Developing or utilizing molecular techniques to investigate marine or anadromous species; and Participating in the preparation of management reports, information products, or presentations. OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of successfully completed graduate-level education and specialized experience may be used to meet the total experience requirements. Note: Only graduate-level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience. To qualify at the ZP-4 or GS-13 level: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-3 or GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Leading or conducting projects involving sample collection or data generation pertaining to marine or anadromous species; Directing project-associated activities such as purchasing, inventory, or training new employees; and Preparing management reports, information products, or presentations pertaining to molecular research.

As a Biologist, Omics, you will perform the following duties: Serve as a senior Biologist applying laboratory and data analysis techniques to improve the effectiveness of fishery management and conservation of anadromous and marine organisms. Contribute substantively to molecular genetic and genomic work for fisheries management including environmental DNA (eDNA). Provide an authoritative source of technical guidance to other functional specialists both internal and external to the organization. Provide expertise to improve laboratory and data analysis techniques to help understand the distribution and abundance of marine and anadromous species. Lead projects involving sample collection, data generation, and direct project-associated activities such as purchasing, inventory and training new employees. Lead laboratory analysis, field work, data analysis and statistical modeling projects. Develop and advise on robust data management planning and execution to meet all requirements of the Public Access to Research Results (PARR) Act. NOTE: These duties are described at the full performance level of the ZP-4; the ZP-3 is developmental leading to such performance. For more information about these positions, please visit the NOAA Fisheries is Hiring Webpage: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/careers-more/noaa-fisheries-hiring POSITION REQUIREMENTS: This position requires the operation of a Federal motor vehicle. Incumbent must possess a valid driver's license to use federal motor vehicles to attend meetings with partners/stakeholders, and to visit research sites on a regular and recurring basis. This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel System (CAPS). Under CAPS, positions are classified by career, pay plan, and pay band. The ZP-3 is equivalent to the GS-11/12. The ZP-4 is equivalent to the GS-13/14.